Ep. 135: Grape Expectations – Park Hill Liquor Store

Grape Expectations is my neighborhood liquor store. I’m there more frequently than I’d probably like to admit, but why wouldn’t I be? This store has cultivated an incredibly selection of craft beer, craft spirits, and wines from around the world, all of which is very helpfully provided to you by their extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. If it sounds like I’m dong an ad for them, maybe so. Because there are any number of liquor stores that suck. This one is like the Platonic ideal of a liquor store.

This isn’t to say this week’s episode lacks depth, interest, or issues of controversy. Far from it. Here’s a sampling of some of the issues we discuss:

How the introduction of Sunday sales nearly a decade ago influenced their business;

How the recent development of grocery stores becoming able to sell full strength beer, wine and liquor has impacted their planning and business model;

How they’ve cultivated a loyal customer base in a very competitive market;

How to earn yourself some shelf or cooler space in a choice spot like Grape Expectations in an increasingly crowded environment;

What the alcohol kryptonite is of people who sling booze for a living;

How someone could ever get burned out on wine tasting (Hint: Do it for a living and be forced to taste more than 50 a week);

And why the craft beer movement, besides so much else about it, is “a pain in the ass.” Quote from family patriarch, John King.

This is not an exhaustive list. You’ll have to tune in for to see what else we cover. It’s enormously entertaining, and it’s always personally satisfying to feature a family business. You can visit Grape Expectations at 2270 Kearney St. in Denver’s beautiful Park Hill neighborhood, or you can Like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.